Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a young, dynamic city, continuously renewing itself at a rapid rate. Sparkling skyscrapers, an impressive port, trendy restaurants and food markets, renowned museums and awesome festivals are the direct result of the can-do mentality of the Rotterdammers. Add to that the many extraordinary attractions and city tours – by bike, bus, boat or on foot – and you understand why Rotterdam was voted Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2016.

Generally, shops in the city centre are open 7 days a week, from around 10 am until 7 pm. On Sunday shops open their doors at 12 am. On Friday shops are open until 9 pm.

Most attractions can be visited 7 days a week as well. The Markthal is open until 8 pm except for Friday (9 pm) and Sunday (6 pm). Rotterdam museums welcome their visitors from Tuesday until Sunday (thus closed on Monday).

National holidays include Christmas, New Years Day, Easter, Kings Day (27th of April) and Pentecost.

Top 10

Diergaarde Blijdorp

Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen

Hotel New York

The Cube Houses

Kunsthal Rotterdam

Markthal Rotterdam

Rotterdam Central Station

Euromast

Spido harbour tours

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City of Architecture

Full of energy and innovation, Rotterdam reinvented itself after the bombing of the Second World War. It broke with the past and chose modern architecture. The motto: light, air and space, was ground breaking for that time. Rotterdam still embraces experimentation: almost anything is possible. Here, you are constantly surprised by new initiatives: from a rooftop city farm to a music festival in the harbour, from an exclusive rooftop bar to a brewery in an old warehouse.

If you love architecture then a visit to Rotterdam - with its patchwork of architectural styles - is a must. Icons of the Nieuwe Bouwen era stand beside the typical reconstruction-architecture from the sixties, seventies and eighties. They clash cheerfully with the hypermodern landmarks that have been built in recent decennia: the Erasmusbrug, Rotterdam Central Station, De Rotterdam, the Timmerhuis and of course the Markthal.

Erasmus Bridge

The Cube Houses

Markthal Rotterdam

Rotterdam Central Station

Euromast

De Rotterdam

Van Nelle Fabriek

Groot Handelsgebouw

Het Industriegebouw

Laurenskerk

City Hall

Luchtsingel

Attractions & Tours

Sailing through the port of Rotterdam, marveling at the exotic animals in Diergaarde Blijdorp (Rotterdam Zoo) or climbing the Laurenskerk tower: Rotterdam has an amazing variety of fun things to do for visitors of all ages.

The Zoo and Oceanium

Miniworld Rotterdam

Bike & Bite

Hop-on Hop-off Citysightseeing

De Rotterdam Tours

CityCruise

FutureLand

Kinderdijk

Plaswijckpark

Historic tram line 10

The Cube Houses

Markthal Rotterdam

Euromast

Spido harbour tours

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Water, Port & Harbours

As a port city, Rotterdam has unbreakable ties to the water, from the Maas River that flows right through the city to the many (historic) city harbours like Delfshaven. The city flows – courtesy of the Maas – seamlessly over into its industrial port that stretches for 40 kilometres to the Maasvlakte 2 and Hoek van Holland.

Maritime Museum Rotterdam

Splashtours

Historic Delfshaven

FutureLand

Kinderdijk

Maeslantkering

Rotterdam Beach

Maasvlakte beach

Spido harbour tours

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Art & Culture

Rotterdam has a rich cultural scene centred largely around the cultural axis between Museumpark and Witte de Withstraat. This area includes acclaimed museums like Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Kunsthal Rotterdam and The New Institute, where large and small (international) exhibitions for old and new art, design and photography are presented. The numerous galleries around Witte de Withstraat and the city centre are also well worth your time.

You don't necessarily have to head indoors to see art in Rotterdam, though. Pablo Picasso, Joep van Lieshout, Henry Moore, Paul McCartney, Elmgreen & Dragset: masterpieces by the world's most famous artists can simply be visited in public in Rotterdam. If you love street art, feast your eyes on the beauties around the Luchtsingel pedestrian bridge and the Hofbogen arches, where major and impressive wall paintings by local artists are progressively covering the walls.

Rotterdam also boasts many theatres, concert halls and arthouse cinemas where you go to be inspired and touched by (classical) music, theatre, cabaret, dance and musicals from local, national and international artists and companies.

Fans of arthouse films can indulge themselves at the charming old Cinerama cinema, at the LantarenVenster movie house or the new small Kino movie theatre. Or visit Rotterdam in January during the global International Film Festival Rotterdam.

Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen

Chabot Museum

Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen

Kunsthal Rotterdam

Museum Rotterdam, Museum of the City

Witte de Withstraat

Maritiem Museum

Wereldmuseum

Van Nelle Fabriek

Nederlands Fotomuseum

TENT Rotterdam

Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art

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Luchtsingel

Het Nieuwe Instituut

Sonneveld House

Garage Rotterdam

Laurenskerk

Natural History Museum Rotterdam

Festivals & Events

If you enjoy festivals, then Rotterdam is the place to be! Throughout the year there are festivals galore from small and intimate to downright spectacular. It's no surprise that Rotterdam has been voted as one of the best festival cities in the world several times. Rotterdam festivals are characterised by their daring, innovativeness and cosmopolitan character. They often take place at extraordinary venues like parks, old warehouses, rooftops and shipyards.

International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR)

Art Rotterdam Week

NN Marathon Rotterdam

ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament

Motel Mozaïque

Opera Days Rotterdam

Rotterdam Architecture Month

Port of Rotterdam North Sea Jazz Festival

Rotterdam Unlimited

World Port Days

Gergiev Festival

Shopping

Shop till you drop! Whatever your style is and whatever you are looking for, Rotterdam is the place to be. Most shops in the city centre are open seven days a week. From trendy boutiques to megastores, from popular brand stores to the more tranquil, high-end fashion chique, you can find it all in Rotterdam. Let the shopping begin!

Bijenkorf Rotterdam

Fenix Food Factory

Hudson's Bay

De Groene Passage

Love Rotterdam. Gifts, Food & More.

Evernow

Old North Interiors

Markthal Rotterdam

Margreeth Olsthoorn

Groos

Susan Bijl

De Kaashoeve

Contemporary Showroom

Hutspot

Keet Store

Funkie House

INCONCEPT

Wendela van Dijk

Joline Jolink

Skatestore Rotterdam

Culinary Rotterdam

Whether you're in the mood for a quick but delicious hamburger or curious about the latest molecular cooking techniques, feel like dining at a spectacular location, or simply want to grab a beer from a local brewery, it's all easy to find in Rotterdam. From trendy coffee bars and organic lunchrooms to fancy cocktail bars, from stylish restaurants (with Michelin stars) to surprising eateries and adventurous fast food concepts, Rotterdam's culinary options are extensive, and interesting newcomers join the list every week.

Bazar

Fenix Food Factory

Fitzgerald

HMB Restaurant

Restaurant De Jong

De Matroos en het Meisje

FG Restaurant

De Groene Passage

By Jarmusch

Parqiet

Brasserie Schielandshuis

Alfredo’s Taqueria

Jamie’s Italian

DeliBird

nhow Bar and Kitchen

Lola bar & kitchen

Restaurant Héroine

Foodhallen Rotterdam

Markthal Rotterdam

De Kaashoeve

Bars & Nightlife

Like so much else in Rotterdam – the architecture, the people, their cultures and customs – the city's nightlife is filled with contrasts. Glamorous cocktail bars and classic pubs, hip and happening dance clubs and intimate concert venues. Depending on what you like to do when you hit the town and what mood you're in, Rotterdam can offer you wildly different nights out. It's all up to you!

Rotown

Maassilo / Factory010

Annabel

Bird

The Suicide Club

Ballroom

Aloha

nhow Bar and Kitchen

Supermercado

Wunderbar

De Gele Kanarie

BAR

Kaapse Maria

Accommodations

Spending the night in Rotterdam is always an excellent plan. Arranging accommodations gives you more time to enjoy the city. From trendy hostels to luxurious boutique hotels and high-end hotel chains, Rotterdam has overnight accommodations to suit any preference and budget.

Mainport Hotel

Thon Rotterdam

Hilton Rotterdam

CitizenM

Hotel New York

Stayokay

Hotel Bazar

nhow Hotel

Tourist Information & Transport

Rotterdam The Hague Airport

An increasing number of European cities provide direct flights to Rotterdam The Hague Airport. Operators Transavia, CityJet, British Airways, bmi regional, Turkish Airlines, TUIfly, Lufthansa, Jetairfly.com, VLM, Vueling, Corendon and Onur Air fly to the second regional airport in the Netherlands.

From Rotterdam The Hague Airport, you can reach the very heart of Rotterdam (Central Station) very quickly, travelling by taxi or public transport:
Car/taxi 10-15’
RandstadRail and Airport Shuttle bus (bus 50) 15’
RET (bus 33) 20-25’

Schiphol Airport is only 25 minutes away from Rotterdam Central Station by NS International trains.

Address: Rotterdam Airportplein 60

Website: www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl

Rotterdam Tourist Information - Website & Offices

Are you interested in visiting Rotterdam but looking for some more inspiration?

Visit the official Rotterdam Tourist Information website www.rotterdam.info for a complete view of the city's highlights and activities.

The staff at the Rotterdam Tourist Information Offices at Coolsingel and Central Station love to help you find your way in Rotterdam once you have arrived. Their tips will turn your visit into an even better experience.

Get the most out of your visit to Rotterdam with the Rotterdam Welcome Card. The card gives you a minimum of 25% discount at 50 attractions, museums, restaurants and entertainment venues. And on top of that you can enjoy 1, 2 or 3 consecutive days of unlimited travel with bus, tram or metro with the RET municipal transport company. All in all, a perfect addition to an already fun-packed visit to Rotterdam!

The Rotterdam Welcome Card is available for € 12 (1 day), € 18 (2 days) and € 23 (3 days) at the Rotterdam Tourist Information Coolsingel and Central Station. It can also be ordered online at www.rotterdamwelcomecard.com.

Website: www.rotterdamwelcomecard.com

Public Transport

Rotterdam has an excellent public transport (OV) system, mostly provided by the RET. Train, metro, tram, bus and waterbus can take you everywhere. Planning your route is easy via www.9292.nl.

To travel on public transport, you need a public transport chip card (for sale at any Metro Station).

If you are planning on doing a lot of travelling, you can also purchase one of the following products:
* Rotterdam Welcome Card: with 1, 2 or 3 days of free travel by bus, tram and metro (plus 50 discounts on fun things to do in Rotterdam). Starting at €12,- for 1 day.
* Tourist Day Ticket: a day pass that allows you to travel across the province of Zuid-Holland for 24 hours by bus, tram, metro and waterbus. The price is €13,50.